Beschreibung:
<p>The role of erythromycin in the treatment of diarrhea due to Campylobacter fetus subspecies jejuni has not been widely evaluated, although such treatment has been recommended [1]. Most strains of C. fetus subspecies jejuni that have been tested are susceptible to erythromycin in vitro [2]. Blaser et al. [3] examined 35 culture-positive patients and reported improvement in all of 12 who were given erythromycin. Of 97 consecutive patients with diarrhea and a stool culture that was positive for C. fetus subspecies jejuni, 48 were treated with erythromycin and 49 were treated only for their symptoms (untreated). The mean duration of excretion of C. fetus subspecies jejuni in stools after the onset of treatment with erythromycin was 1.1 days; the mean duration of excretion in untreated patients was 10.1 days after diagnosis (P < 0.001). The duration of symptoms in the two groups of patients was not significantly different, but in most cases erythromycin treatment was begun rather late in the course of illness. Severely ill patients appeared to have benefited from treatment with erythromycin. Two patients had secondary isolates that were resistant to erythromycin, although their primary isolates were susceptible. Among 48 patients treated with erythromycin, no patient became a chronic carrier of C. fetus subspecies jejuni. Our findings indicate that erythromycin shortens the fecal excretion of C. fetus subspecies jejuni in adult patients.</p>